Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland was asked by name about one player and one player only today during Ireland’s pre-draft press conference. That player: The ever-controversial Ryan Mallett, the former standout quarterback at Arkansas.

Now, depending on who you listen to, Mallett is either a vastly misunderstood prospect who might just be the steal of the upcoming NFL Draft. Or he’s the second-coming of Ryan Leaf. Both opinions are out there.

While his coaches and teammates at Arkansas have repeatedly spent time defending Mallett leading into the draft, he has nonetheless still had to find a way to deflect plenty of criticism directed towards his character. There are a lot of questions about him – about his leadership abilities. About alleged drug use during his college years. About how he relates with teammates and those around him.

And who better to answer some of those questions about Mallett than Ireland?

The Dolphins GM went on the record today didn’t try to hide the fact that the team has spent a lot of time with Mallett in anticipation of the draft. Ireland has met with Mallett in Arkansas. Mallett has come here to South Florida. So after all that, here’s what Ireland said about Mallett:

“Well, I have spent a lot of time with him – I’m not going to deny that. I went there to visit with him. He’s come here to visit with me, and to visit with him as well. I felt like we’ve been very thorough in that process, much like we are every player that we are considering drafting.

“Sometimes when there’s information out there you want to dispel rumors and get as much information that you can with any player out there and that’s why we went through the process. He’s a nice young man, very talented kid, [and] got a bright future.”

So there you have it. Mallett is a “nice young man,” Ireland says. Of course, what else would you expect Ireland to say? Nonetheless, his answer is telling in that it sounds like the Dolphins have done plenty of homework regarding Mallett.

If they do wind up taking him, it’ll be because Ireland and the organization is convinced that the smoke surrounding Mallett comes without fire. And if the Dolphins pass on him, well … the team will have its reasons for that, too.

Comments (77 Comments)

I’m back to giving him a clean slate (or trying to) with his off-the-field issues. However, I can’t shake the concerns I have with this kid’s performance.

1) Immobile in a bind. Will probably be the most unathletic qb in the game right now when he starts.

2) Throws great when planted, but inaccurate if he does have to move. That’ll bear more issues in the NFL.

3) Never clutch. Hasn’t played well when they’re counting on him. This is the weakest of the 3, but still something to consider.

3b) Ok. I lied. Character concerns. Omar’s keeping his mouth shut, but with that kind of stuff-> his concerns concern me. Plus, the dude has a beer gut! What kind of dedication to his craft can you expect when the dude’s not in shape?

His height does allow him to throw over the line though, he does a lot pre-snap and has good fundamentals, he’s played and succeeded in a pro-style, he’s got a huge arm, and has the potential to make big plays downfield.

I don’t know. Definitely some major concerns to consider that may affect his ability to win consistently in this league.

1) The guy is able to move in the pocket and avoid the rush. He has shown the ability to extend plays.

2) He has on several occasions made great/accurate throws outside the pocket while under durress. See the Georgia game last year to debunk all this mobility nonsense.

3) Never clutch? This is the biggest load of garbage. He has been clutch against S.C., Texas A&M, LSU, Georgia, and Mississippi St last year. But that’s all glossed over because of Alabama and OSU. Everyone dismisses Gabberts interceptions in his bowl game that led directly to the loss. Or the horrible 94yd passing game against Texas Tech. Why isn’t anyone questioning him? But Ryan Mallets is a trend?

3b) Character concerns? Outside of unsubstantiated rumors, what character concerns are we talking about?

“If they do wind up taking him, it’ll be because Ireland and the organization is convinced that the smoke surrounding Mallett comes without fire. And if the Dolphins pass on him, well … the team will have its reasons for that, too.”

“He’s a nice young man”, this reminds me of Zach Galfinkas’es (not sure if I spelled that right) in the hangover about Heather Grham’s character was called a whore, Galfinkas shouts out “hey she is a nice lady”. I just have an image Ireland saying this the exact same way.

I could really care less if the kid smoked weed in college. Just how does that make him any different than almost every other college kid? And, does it honestly mean he somehow isn’t a “good” person or a leader? How hypocritical and myopic is that anyway?

If Ireland truly did walk away from face-to-face meetings with the kid feeling comfortable with him, what does this “off the field” crap truly matter? Not that I necessarily trust Ireland’s evaluative skills, but it’s all we’ve got.

Nobody in the NFL TRULY cares what a player does on their own time unless it negatively affects their play or they get caught and give the franchise a black eye anyway.

Players with questionable character issues get chance after chance in the NFL IF they can perform on the field.

Randy, you’re right about NFL players getting multiple chances. But you want to know who you’re taking when you draft them. Once they’re on your team for a few years and you’ve paid them it’s too late to go back.

son this is a move that would be great if you already had a qb. to get julio jones, we would have to give up almost everything we have in the draft, and henne and brandstatr couldnt find jones with his speed if he had gps on his helmet

you keep missing the point, if your worried about credibility, the point was we only have one qb, and a practice squadder who never dressed out, that is thinner than ever. its not about wins in the past, we have to win in 2011, and one henne and no one else is incredibly thin in anyones team. the fins always have 3 qbs and maybe a practice squadder. that is the point, and nothing to do with the wins henne has or the wins lemon and beck dont have, lol ok?
one qb wont get you through 16 games, especially if that one is henne
you wont be able to convince me we dont need 3 qbs when we need 3 qbs every single season

I have to agree with Ken and Randy from the last blog. I think this is a pretty good QB class. Part of the problem is no surefire franchise guy at the top and another is everyone else is a 2nd round down guy. The draft hype is moving these guys up some but its still a pretty good class.

Nothing Ireland said is “telling.” The world already knows we met with 59 QB’s. The world already knows we need help at RB. Ireland did his job. Be cordial, answer questions, compliment players and leave open the possibility for us to anything we want on draft day. He mentioned trading down, trading up, not reaching for players to fill needs, having to fill needs, having to take guys that can play right away. All the BS that he should say. Thank god the draft is here next week!!!

You heard what I heard, pretty much nothing. The only thing he did say that makes one wonder is that he does not feel a need to draft a RB as there will be a free agency period. So maybe this means Ingram is their guy..lol

I for one, want to see them take a chance on Mallett. Guys like this with something to prove sometimes do very well, and I want a cocky QB. Better then what we have now. The terd that is afraid to throw a pass.

henne and brandstatr,
first string, dont have one
second string, chad henne
third string, dont have one
practice squad guy never dressed for game, tom brandstatr
we need two qbs or we cant make it through the 16 game season’
we need a first rd pick franchise guy and a vet fa later if we can get one or were doomed and no offensive linemen or pass rusher can help us

Hey guys… Typing this from iPhone, so brief. If you’re having probs with SS check for viruses on your PC! I have a feeling they were hacked last night. I had a never-before seen pop-up about taking a survey, clicked the “X” to close the window and my browsers froze. Had to shutdown and reboot and think it downloaded something because Internet stopped connecting this a/m. Found VERY nasty Trojan that hackers use to copy your keystrokes for identity theft and personal info on your PC. Would highly suggest you run full PC scans if you’re having issues with web pages and connections as I’ve been. It was called Trojan.agent/gen-injector, and is a bad one.

im not gonna watch the draft, im just going to watch when miami picks its heartbreaking to watch your man crush list picks going to your competition. i just wanna know who is wearing aqua and orange for 2011 training camp

its almost impossible to trade up unless we give up everything,
we will find tradedown scenarios will be rare and may or may not benefit the team. some of the tradedown scenarios the mob comes up are actually pretty good ideas, however i doubt ill see any of them work that way. usually when you want a guy, someone else wants him too and hes gone if you trade down too far. ill say this, if the fins tradedown in 2011, and want a franchise qb, they take a huge risk they lose the guy anyway, and the whole tradedown idea goes wrong again due to dumb luck. we cant keep using good first picks and trading down and get bad luck scenarios that mean we lost a good number 12 or number 15 pick this year. i hope we just keep it simple and make sure we dont lose our man, kaep at 15, bpa at qb, and we dont miss him and look foolish on a failed tradedown. even worse, we have no qb unless we are happy with scrum qbs later, we already tried bargain scrum qbs before, 16 since marino retired. i dont want to see qbs come and go and second round picks are always gone, use a first, use it wisely and lets secure our chances this year and years beyond

A good draft would consist of Pouncey 1st Devine 3rd and Virgil Green
anything else aft is gravey Gotta have the O oin this day an age
The Offense was offensive last year Deangelo Williams FA
Many problems are solved DEVINE KR PR 3RD DOWN BACK
With speed Interior line solidified with Pouncey and the return of Gardner
Geen will be a nice threat opposite of Fasano We aslo need to grab a
LB inside FA

MF13, those guys are very intriguing.
I like Scott, but wonder what we will have in Sheets this year.
Gates could be a steal, but he’s small school. WR’s typically take a couple years to develop. Wonder what we already have in Moore, Pruitt, & Wallace.
Green is the one I’d take over those others. We need a seam threat @ TE.

Everybody knows “Nice person” is dismissive. But Ireland may be dismissing the media question as opposed to the player. I don’t know if he cares that much about the player or not since we’ve had players courted as smoke before and players chosen sight unseen, so to speak.

Ok guys, you got to read this. Very interesting analysis of stats on QB’s and backs my man crush on Stanzi !!! I’d love to get Stanzi in the 3rd, especially if we can get a starter in the 1st and possibly 2nd rd.

I know I am no GM, but this is how I see it:
1) Unless the coaching staff and front office have a 100% conviction on a QB, trade down, I know that this will be difficult, but for some reason I think that this may be a strong suit that Ireland posses and I feel he can pull it off. He managed it last year (although the circumstances were different) and will do it this year.

1st pick) if the first pick is low enough, snatch Pouncy and stop this non-sense with our frickin offensive line woes. I am sick of seeing our line not produce. Get it fixed. Pouncy will solidify the line.

2nd) QB Dalton or Ponder (whoever is still there)- They have to feel good about one of these guys. I am still in the camp of Henne may turn it around with some help, a seem threat TE and a fast receiver. However, if the FO feels good about Ponder or Dalton, pull the trigger for a possibly that they are a future QG for the franchise. Keep drafting a QB year in and year out until we find our QB. It is the most important position in football in the modern era. (I don’t like it, but it’s true.)

3) TE DJ Williams-Do whatever it takes to get this dude. He is for real and will help Henne or a young QB in more ways than you can imagine.

4) WR BPA- Just make sure he is fast, loves football, and isn’t afraid to take some punishment.

Free Agency will happen: You have to go get Deangalo Williams, the guy is a baller and young. He is the best FA out there. Get him! If things don’t work out, bring Ronnie back. Ronnie Brown is getting up there, but the dude still inflicts punishment, he can manage the wild cat on occasions for the team, plus he is a good team guy and outstanding citizen.

If you can get Palmer or Orton for a 3 next year and maybe some our trade bait (We have a ton of DE’s or if someone is dumb enough, throw in Crowder), do it. Let all three QB compete for starting position. Both Ortin and Palmer are solid and we need them for insurance if Henne just isnt cutting it.

If our talent evaluations are not high on Ponder or Dalton, possibly go after a guy like Flynn or Kolb. I like them both. Regardless, we have to get the QB situation right.

Ok so Dallas at 9 is only 300 points away, if Julio is sitting there do you go up and get him? I think I might. Julio is top notch talent and person.
________________
Yeah, lets take a speedy receiver at 9 even though he has a history of the dropsies. Where have I seen this play out before?

Oh, wait – we can have him if we are willing to not draft until the 4th round. Great! I am in where do we sign up?

Thats BS about his accuracy on the move or outside the pocket. He ran at least a few bootlegs a game @ Ark. Granted most of his big plays came from DJ Williams but the point is he got him the ball. If you watch his highlights you’ll see what I’m talking about. You’ll also see his ability to make people miss in the pocket and throw the football. The film doesn’t lie look it up and see for yourself. He’s capable of all those things.

When is comes down to drafting or not drafting Ryan Mallet. I don’t feel there are any “Functional” issues with Mallet. We all know he has the arm and the accuracy, (which accuracy is the best of all the QB traits and the hardest to teach) It is clear to me after watching several games I have downloaded and tons of the film that exists out there that all the “Mobility” concerns are grossly over stated. Mallet can roll out with the best of them and do so while throwing it 65 yards on the button.
I choose to believe those people that Mallet played with and was coached by concerning leadership ability and his efforts at getting along with others. It makes no sense to me to listen to others with possible agenda and other player manipulation try to describe a man’s behavior when that person or persons has never been near Mallet in practice or on the field during a game. Only players, coaches, friends and family can offer insight into that part of Mallet with honesty and accuracy.
What is going to be the killer for Mallet is if they have learned through private investigation that the partying is worse that they hoped. OR… That Tony and Jeff have spoken to Ross and Ross is not going to give them the same “New Guys, New QB” other Managers and Coaches get after major changes in the teams coaching and front office. If Tony and Jeff have been placed into a “Win now or go home, no excuses no developmental players” situation. And Ross wants nothing to do with seeing a top pick sit a year… then Mallet is out of the question. I cannot be sure of any those situations, but what I do feel certain of is the feeling I get that Mallet is going to tear this league a new Azzhoyle and be an all Pro star QB within a few short years. Ryan Mallet will either be a Miami Dolphin on the recipient end of all that greatness. Or, he will be added to the long and distinguished list of failed QB thinking in Miami. Just one more way Tony and Jeff can find a trip to the bread lines.

After watching all the John Gruden QB ESPN Interviews with the Quarterback hopefuls my selection would be Dalton.

The kid plays with intelligence, passion and is not afraid to take a shot down the field. Played in a complicated system where he showed the ability to read defenses and audible.

Advertisement

About the author

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
More

IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More